One copy endorsed 'draft Legacy discharge'.
Signed by Sir Charles and Hannah Trevelyan, witnessed by G. O. Trevelyan.
Thanking Rosebery for his appreciation of the Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay. Discussion of how Macaulay treated letters to himself.
Explains that he put off writing to Young until it had been decided whether or not Everett should be elected to 'the [Apostles] Society'. Announces that he had been accepted, and refers to him as 'a very clever man.' Refers to his declaration as 'very extravagant and Americans' and reports that 'old Martin was astonished.' States that now Trevelyan, Thompson and Jebb are gone down, a new and rather striking element is needed. Reports on recent discussions, including Trevelyan's speech criticising young men who give up their early ambitions and become schoolmasters. The latter being 'all for the edification of Fisher'. Remarks that Heathcote is 'still rather below the average of an Apostle but still he is improving.' Reports that there has been nothing heretical so far. Declares that he wishes to relieve himself of the charge of having recommended Goldwin Smith as a heretical work. States that it always gives him indigestion to read the Quarterly Review. Refers to the controversy between G. Smith and Mansel, which 'is rather metaphysical than theological'. Agrees with Young that illness has the effect of clearing away doubts. Declares that '[t]he Union is falling again rather'. [Incomplete]
Announces that he is in the midst of scenery [in Carnarvon], 'which is not first-rate but very pleasing...', and comments on its similarity to the Lakes. Predicts that he shall enjoy himself much, as they have 'much exhilarating good fellowship and good talk at breakfast and in the evening: George Trevelyan, especially, being a well-spring of both.' States that he intends to be there for at least a week, returning to London probably early in September. Claims that he is behind with his work, and thinks that when the holiday is over, he shall have to work hard on till Christmas.
Asks her to thank their mother for her letter [101/176], which he intends to answer soon. Refers to [his cousin] Annie's remark as 'discriminative', and explains that the reason he chose to comment on 'that particular essay of Arnold's was not because it was the most impudent, but because it seemed the most complete and decisive enumeration of his theory of life.' States that he was glad to get Arthur's address, but does not think he will be sending a letter to him in Switzerland. Is glad to hear of her progress. Encloses 'a little poem' [not included], which he cut out of a magazine, and also 'a German effusion' of his [not included]. Advises her to get hold of Rückert's Selected works if she ever feels inclined to break new ground in German poetry. [Incomplete?]
The Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Glad to hear Hubrecht's wife has been outside and hopes to find her 'really better' when he comes over in May. Bessie has told him Hubrecht does not object to Whitweek for the wedding; this will be best for Robert's parents and brothers who all intend to come; doubts if anyone else from England will come; Hubrecht and Bessie should decide on the exact date. This will depend on when the Rotterdam consul [Henry Turing] can come; asks whether it would be best for him or Hubrecht to write about that, or should he ask Sir Henry Howard to do so? Bessie says they will probably need another witness; remembers Hubrecht said that if the consul were Dutch he might do, or he would have no objection to [Abraham] Bredius or any other friend of Hubrecht. If it is necessary to have an affidavit indicating his parents' consent this will be arranged. Has seen his birth certificate; the settlement is being drawn up at the lawyers. Very glad his parents are coming. Will write soon to Sir Henry Howard to let him know the date. Will come over as soon as Bessie wants him to. Bessie made all his family 'very fond of her' when she visited, and his friends who met her also liked her very much.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - He and his wife appreciate the feelings Hubrecht and his wife have about the future of Miss [Elizabeth] van der Hoeven, who has written to his wife. Hopes and believes that the marriage will make both young people happy, and will reward the Hubrechts for their 'kindness and affection towards [their] niece'. Looks forward to meeting them. Has himself five times been to the Netherlands as a tourist, visited the scene of William [the Silent?]'s death at Delft, and 'read the whole of [John] Motley's "Dutch Republic' on Dutch soil'. Glad that the proposals satisfy Hubrecht; brings up the point of what Robert's position would be after his and Caroline's death, when he will be 'independent and at ease'; suggests that as well as the settlement on Robert's wife and children already discussed, he and Caroline should covenant to pay him personally eight hundred pounds a year until then. Regarding the settlement itself, expects Hubrecht knows what an 'exceptional institution... the Equitable Mutual is" Would be glad to know what Miss van der Hoeven's 'personal circumstances' are. Asks in a postscript if the Hubrechts consider the marriage 'sufficiently fixed' to make it known; on their side it is so.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes that Hubrecht's wife is much better and not 'overdone' by the trouble which a marriage inevitably brings. He and his wife are looking forward to their visit; they intend to come straight from London to the Hague on the 1 June and to keep their rooms at the "Oude Doelen" hotel throughout their stay even if they make any excursions. His wife will write to Elizabeth about the hotel nearer the time. Has read the marriage contract and will show it to his lawyer in London next week; will then instruct him to arrange the settlement of the Equitable [and Mutual] Insurance and the allowance to Robert.
8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Originally enclosing the draft of the [marriage] settlement and the undertaking [by himself and his wife] to pay a yearly allowance of eight hundred pounds to Robert until either of their deaths, when he will receive twenty thousand pounds; this was his wife's settlement and his own and is now assured to Robert in addition to any other sum they may leave. The policy Robert settles on Elizabeth is worth fourteen thousand pounds now, and has prospects of reaching a large sum 'if he lives to be old, or even elderly'. Encloses a cutting from today's "Times" ["The Money Market", "Times" 36136, p 4] with under-linings in pen, showing that the average increase in policies in the Equitable [and Mutual Life Assurance Society] is over one hundred percent.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He and his wife will be pleased to dine with Hubrecht on 5 June; will let him know as soon as possible whether Charles and George will be in the Hague in time to come too. In response to Hubrecht's questions, encloses a letter from Mr Ellis [13/50], a 'solicitor of the highest order", nephew of Sir George's uncle [Macaulay]'s 'now well-known old friend, Thomas Flower Ellis', and son of his father's family solicitor. This explains that Robert and Elizabeth's marriage will make 'the settlement irrevocable'; the circumstances which would invalidate the covenant are, he 'hope[s] and believe[s], impossible'. Has lost his copy of the marriage contract: thought he had returned it to Hubrecht, after having read it through with Mr Ellis, both having been 'fully satisfied'.
8 Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - He and his wife had a good crossing after Hubrecht kindly saw them off, and return with 'pleasant recollections' of the 'kindness and cordiality' they met with in Holland. They hope that Hubrecht's wife has not suffered from 'all the movement, and the trial to her feelings'. Asks to be remembered to Hubrecht's daughter [Marie] and to the Comte and Comtess de Grammont [? Alphonse Grandmont and his wife Bramine Hubrecht?] if they are still there. Asked his lawyer today to get certified copies of the two documents [relating to a settlement and covenant made on Robert and Elizabeth Trevelyan's marriage], which is 'quite a recognised proceeding'; will take some time, as the documents must be stamped by the Inland Revenue. The 'filling up of the blank is a trifle'; explains that this clause is in Robert's favour rather than their own.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Originally enclosing the 'attested copies of the two documents' [relating to a settlement and covenant made on Robert and Elizabeth Trevelyan's marriage]; the stamp duties have now been paid. They have had happy letters from the young people, and are much looking forward to their visit this summer. His wife has had a letter from Miss [Marie] Hubrecht, and is glad to hear Madame Hubrecht's health is improved. He is hard at work and they are leading a 'quiet, rustic life'.
Hotel de la Poste, Bruxelles - Does not know how to thank her for her 'extraordinarily kind letter' which arrived yesterday. She will have seen his last letter to his father, acknowledging that he did wrong in not consulting them before proposing [to Elizabeth]; thinks though that everything will be for the best. Is here for two days, as he and Elizabeth's uncle agreed it would be good for him to go away for a little while after 'this last somewhat eventful and in some ways anxious week'; will return to the Hague on Thursday, and there is plenty to see. Thinks Elizabeth's uncle sanctions the engagement; unlikely the wedding could take place before the summer, as Elizabeth wants to spend more time with the Hubrechts; she also wants the Grandmonts to be there, and they do not generally return from Sicily till May or June. Expects he will soon go on to Italy. Will send a photo of Elizabeth when he returns to the Hague; his mother 'must not expect a beauty', though he finds her looks 'anything but disagreeable'. Thinks she will be able to 'look after [him] properly' as she is 'prudent and orderly, and in many ways thoroughly Dutch'; glad that her intellect is 'neither particularly poetical, nor romantic' and she has 'quite enough imagination and insight to understand anything' he might want; she has good taste for art, literature, and other things 'for a woman', and tends to be 'reflective and critical, rather than positive or creative'; she is of course 'a Protestant, at least not a Catholic'. Thinks he wrote that she knows the Nicholsons, 'by which I meant the Donaldsons of St Andrews' [James Donaldson and family?]. Has told no-one apart from the Frys [Roger and Helen] about his engagement, and will not do so until everything is settled between his father and Mr Hubrecht.
10 Prinsegracht, The Hague. - Has received her letter this morning, and sent a telegraph to say he has already written to all [the friends and relations] she names, as well as to a few others, such as Mrs [Mary] Booth, since she had invited him to Gracedieu for New Year's Day. Wrote to [Charles] Sanger first, as he lives with him, who got the letter at Cambridge and told George there; had however written to George, and Charles, next day. Has also written to his aunts and Booa [Mary Prestwich]. Has been busy: Mr Hubrecht sent him to visit Bessie's sister Mrs Röntgen in Amsterdam on Saturday, on Sunday he received callers with the family, and on Monday he went to Ede with her and her sister-in-law [strictly, Elizabeth had no sister-in-law: Bramine Hubrecht meant?] to see about the furniture moving. Thinks his mother will have seen his and Hubrecht's letters to his father; hopes that 'little difficulty' is now resolved. Elizabeth is about five foot ten, has 'brownish yellow hair, of rather a light tint', and eyes of he thinks 'greenish grey'. Has not yet written her any poems, but 'must try in Italy'. Will try to get her a ring in Milan; [Roger] Fry may be able to help; leaves tomorrow afternoon, and will spend a few days there as he has much to discuss with Fry. Not sure when he will return: depends how his work goes. Hopes a visit by Bessie to England in the spring can be arranged.
Pinewood, Godalming. - Does not need to say how interested he and his wife were on hearing about Robert's engagement but does not like to be 'quite silent' on the occasion. From Robert's account of Elizabeth, which he recognises may not be 'very impartial'; she 'seems likely to make him very happy & to please [his parents]', which is all a mother can want; hopes they may indeed all be happy. Sends love to George.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - New Year greetings. They have had two lovely days with the first primroses and snowdrops, but now it is dark and wet. He and Caroline miss Elizabeth very much, since she was with them long enough 'to become the most pleasant of habits'. Glad to get back the old "Kim", which Elizabeth can bring when she comes. Was happy 'lounging about and putting things in order while Carry was away'; good she came back 'before the fear of a taxicab strike'. They are going to take Julian to see Mrs Scott this afternoon. The new puzzle is very hard, which is good.
28, Queen Anne's Gate, S.W. - Does not want to 'force [Caroline's] confidence', but has heard from Mary Cropper [letter originally enclosed] and received a letter from Robert this morning announcing his engagement. Hopes Caroline and George approve; Miss van der Hoeven sounds very nice. Hopes it will be 'a good omen of rapprochement between the Dutch and us'; specially liked the people from the Hague whom she saw. The [Second Boer] war is 'almost overpowering'; imagines the anxiety of her cook, Mrs Greenslade, thinking about her husband fighting for ten hours 'without food & water'; seems 'almost too good to be true' if he escapes a third battle; seeing her constantly does bring it home. Margaret [Holland] seems 'almost overdone' with work for the Surrey branch of the Soldiers and Sailors' Families Fund; Alice fears it is too much for her; often hears from her but has not seen her for some time. Notes in a postscript that she went to Charing Cross to see the Northamptons off for Egypt; she was the only one there; Lady Northampton is 'very helpless'.
Begins mid-sentence stating that [his brother George's book "The Age of Wycliffe"] is 'a good piece of history', which shows up John of Gaunt as 'a sort of 14th century Taman[n]y ring boss'. Also recommends Rostand's "Les Romanesques", which he read recently and things is even better than "Cyrano". Cannot think of any more modern books for the moment; fears his list is 'chiefly composed of friends' and relations' books'; [Roger] Fry is also bringing out his book on Bellini soon, which is well worth getting. Asks Elizabeth to tell Mrs Grandmont that the Frys would like her to visit when she is in England; gives their address. He himself is getting a house near Dorking at Westcott, and will move in September, when he will be within a mile of the Frys; the house he is giving up at Haslemere is, though, very beautiful.
Supposes she has been back from Taormina a while; asks her to send some photographs, especially the ones of 'Mrs. Cacc. [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan] and the dogs' and himself in the loggia. The last few days of scirocco were 'a great bore', but he almost forgives it for preventing the trip up Monte Xerito as it 'made [them] those splendid waves among the rocks'; it also 'put [Elizabeth's] fiddle out of sorts' though, so he could not hear any more Bach suites. Heard Isaye [sic: Ysaÿe] play one yesterday, as well as the Mendelsohn concerto; he was in good form, and he will hear him again playing the Beethoven. Is having a musical week, as he has already seen Paderewski, for the first time, and will hear [Wagner's] "Tristram" tomorrow. 'Paddy was great fun, at all events to look at'; thinks he played a Chopin concerto better than the Beethoven. Spends most of his time at the British Museum library when he is in London; has found a translation of [Joost van den] Vondel there by a Dutch American; it is 'very conscientious and scholarly' but he does not think much of the blank verse; still, he can now go on where Elizabeth left off. Would like to know when Mrs G[randmont] is coming to England, and if Elizabeth is likely to be in London so he can 'make a display of [his] extensive and profound knowledge of Italian painting in the National Gallery'. Not sure whether he is going to Bayreuth yet; discusses times he could come to Holland.
Suggests older books she should read: Keats's letters, most of which are available in Sidney Colvin's edition though he advises getting Buxton Forman's four volume edition with the poetry; Butcher and Lang's translation of the "Odyssey"; Meinhold's "Sidonia the Sorceress" and "Amber Witch", translated by Lady Wilde and Lady Duff Gordon. Could lend her all of these books, as well as [Henry James's] "In a Cage" and his brother and father's books . Asks her to write with news and to say when would be best for him to come to Holland; he will write soon to the Grandmonts when he sends them [Thomas Sturge?] Moore's book. Thinks he remembers Elizabeth said she had never read Jane Austen; she should read them all, especially "Mansfield Park", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma". Breaks off mid -sentence: 'by advising to...': 9/71 forms the rest of the letter.
A portion of what seems to be a poem by Robert Trevelyan based on the "Mahabharata", with some explanatory notes, is found with this letter but not referred to in it
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Gives a detailed account of [Caroline Trevelyan's] condition, which is 'much the same as on 21st'; thinks she will keep going 'a week or two longer' and will write on Wednesday. Sir George sits with her '3 or 4 times daily holding her hand'. Suggests that Robert should write to tell Sir George that it would be better for him to stay on at Welcombe for some time: she has just seen a letter from Mrs Watson saying the house at Wallington will be made ready quickly at short notice as requested, which must be in response to a letter from Sir George. She believes it is 'not safe' for him to go North until May or June, but she must get home at the end of February, for two weeks if possible. Glad she and George talked in November; feels they 'understand each other'.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Is not going to Egypt, but will come to Bob; will spend from 25-30 January happily at Pisa 'up to the heart in Shelley', then will come on to Ravello; looking forward to seeing Bob there. Will do an 'expedition' to Sicily, especially Syracuse, from there, and hope Bob will come with him; plans to go to Florence when the weather is warmer. Interested to hear how Bob's play progesses; liked "The Mulberry Tree" and 'dear old "phaselus ille" [a translation from Catullus]' very much: Bob should send it to Bowen 'as an alternative for modern side boys [at Harrow] to learn when they are late for dinner'. His own book ["England in the Age of Wycliffe"] will be out in about a month; their father's [the first volume of his "The American Revolution"] has been 'extremely well received'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Was as pleased with the 'kindness' with which Bob talked about his troubles this year as with the way he talked to George last summer about 'the way in which I might help to make the family life more cheerful'; these suggest that George will be understood when he writes now to explain 'several things' which Bob does not know but will be glad to. There is not a 'tacit conspiracy of disapproval' of Bob: George thought this was untrue when Bob said so, but writes on the subject now as he has talked to their mother and Charles.
Charles began by saying that he thought Bob and Elizabeth were 'getting happy and at home here'; George mentioned something of what Bob had told him of the way their father talked to him, and Charles was 'disturbed' and 'distinctly more vexed [than George had been]'. Thinks Bessie had seen, even if Bob had not, that Charles had done his best to 'make [them] both happy and to get on good terms', with 'all idea of the other sort of thing... completely shoved behind him, in the past when we were all 3 very disagreeable youths'. Wants to assure Bob that both of his brothers are his friends, and hopes that he will not be angry with him. Charles is in truth 'quite as kind' as George is, and perhaps even more tolerant; though he is not literary and does not have as many common interests with Bob as George. True that all three brothers have 'chosen different lines of life, and have very [emphasised] constituted minds', but George does not see why they should 'ever quarrel again'.
Caroline began by telling George about her conversation with Bob about Sir George, saying that she had 'urged Papa in vain not to broach on the general subject of [Bob's] life and work' and was 'really distressed that he did not take her advice'. When George said what he thought, she urged him to speak to Sir George, which he would 'never have ventured to do' himself. So the only conspiracy is one 'to get Papa to forebear', as well as 'a kindness and an eagerness to do things for Elizabeth and [Bob]' which should not have been as 'obscure' to Bob as it seemed when he was 'annoyed about the music'.
Thinks his words in Bob's favour with Sir George this morning were a 'success'; will now 'take the liberty of talking in his favour' to Bob: he was 'never proposing' that Bob should 'give up poetry', and mentioned article-writing because Bob himself had told him last year that he was planning to take it up; he also did not intend to 'continually' return to the subject, and only meant, in the conversation about Sidney Webb, that Bob could interest himself 'in some bye employment at education or politics, which many literary persons have found consistent with literary schemes', and has 'no intention... of saying anything to annoy [Bob] on the subject'.
All three brothers have 'adopted unremunerative professions' and are 'dependent on Papa as three sons very seldom are'; he has never hindered 'any wish or whim' of any one of them 'whatever he has said [emphasised]' and they should therefore put themselves 'under his direction and meet his wishes as regards living within [their] incomes', all the more so as they are 'as a family burdened with landed estates'; Sir George treats Bob exactly as he treats George and Charles, and George thinks he is 'mainly in the right and ultimately wise', though he 'may use language that is exaggerated about the moral aspect'.
Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has been looking at the books left to him in their father's will, and believes that Bob should have the collection of over a hundred volumes in the 'Pipontine [sic: Bipontine] or Deux Ponts Edition in old white binding', currently in Sir George's study, many of which contain notes by Macaulay. Feels that Bob would appreciate these notes much better than he would himself, since they are 'on points of classical scholarship and history in which [he is] an ignoramus'. Would give him great pleasure to think of the books 'in the new Library at the Shiffolds' and often read by Bob.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Sorry that Bob cannot come to Hallington at Easter, but will look forward to seeing him there in August or September; asks whether Bob will stay with them in Cambridge next term when he comes 'about the "Medea"'. Thinks the Memoir ["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A Memoir"] 'has done what was wanted'; some people think it was 'too short', but he himself is unsure.
Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Is giving five pounds to the Harrow fund. Glad there is still a chance of Bob coming to Hallington; asks him to let them know by the end of the week, Hopes Bob gets his copy of the '["Sir George Otto Trevelyan: A] Memoir" soon: the letters from Sir George to Bob and Bessie provided material he is 'more and more glad [he] used'. Glad that Clifford Allen is better, and hopes he remains so. Much looking forward to Bob's new poems ["Rimeless Numbers"]. Notes in a postscript that John Buchan's new book on [Sir Walter] Scott is good.
Thinks Julian will like to see this letter from Eddie Marsh, originally enclosed; he need not return it. Hopes Julian, Ursula and [Philip] Erasmus will have a good time at Gorringes. They have got and will read 'Bernard's Club book', which 'begins very well', but he is wrong to think there has 'never been a Breakfast Club'. Bob's father belonged to one - is unsure whether it still exists - along with 'various brilliant or interesting people' such as Wolesley, Grant Duff, Henry James and [Lord] Rosebery too he thinks; they 'breakfasted somewhere about ten o clock and went on talking for hours'.
The Shiffolds. - Julian's nurse seems to be 'better and more cheerful'. Will have to start packing soon [for his trip to India and China], as some of his luggage needs to be sent on early. An Indian poet, Rabindranath Tagore, is coming to stay tomorrow, he is 'a very interesting man.. and also the most remarkable writer of his time in India'; Bob has read 'translations of three of his plays, and a good many of his poems' and thinks them 'as good as anything anyone is doing in Europe just now'. Tagore's father [Debendranath] was 'a famous religious reformer, a sort of Stopford Brooke'. Has nearly got all his 'travelling kit' but needs to go to London once more next week. Hopes his mother and father are well; will write to his father before he sets off. [William] Rothenstein has done 'several beautiful drawings of Bessie', though only one is really like her and he will try again; he 'is not very good at getting likenesses'. Thinks Lord Pentland is going out on the same boat, to be governor of Madras.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Bessie's letter with the six poems came this morning; will see John [Dower] again tomorrow and show him some, though John 'chiefly wishes to show [Bob] some new ones of his own'. John 'talked a good deal' yesterday, but was 'rather breathless'; seems he 'still tries to believe that he can get well'. Is in the room with George L[owthian Trevelyan]'s furniture in which used to be his father's room; the bed is 'very comfortable', though there is 'no washing apparatus'. Besides Kitty and her family there are several children, but he 'can't make out who they all are'; they spend all day outside, and are 'quite quiet as a rule'. There is also 'a Mrs [Esther?] Bicknell' and a friend of Kitty's whose name he has forgotten; and a daughter of Sybil Thorndike [Ann or Mary Casson] who sings 'chiefly folk-songs - not very interesting, but quite nice'. Len and Geoffrey [Winthrop Young] are coming just as he leaves, but Bessie will see them. Charles and George have gone out shooting; saw George at breakfast, and expects he will visit him [at Hallington] before he leaves on Tuesday. Expects Bessie will soon hear from Miss Dyson; asks whether 'that really is a certainty now'. Asks to be remembered to Miss Cook. Forgot to give Bessie a 'note Ursula Wood made about nurse-housekeepers', which he thinks might be worthwhile Gordon B[ottomley] trying; sends it now to send on if he thinks it worthwhile. Sends love to Bessie; is sorry he will not be at Wallington with her, but at least will see her on 27 August.